TAMI SCHADEMANN

Responsibilities: Schademann reviews and evaluates compliance issues and concerns within the organization.

How she got started: Schademann started out in compliance working for several different banks, eventually ending up at Tradebot Systems. When Tradebot CEO Dave Cummings decided to find people to create a new electronic exchange to compete with Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange, Schademann was one of 13 people who helped launch BATS Global Markets.

Key accomplishment: Schademann was one of the primary people responsible for applying with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an exchange license. Part of that process involves installing a surveillance program that allows regulatory agencies to monitor trading activity. Although most other exchanges outsourced to a third party, Schademann led a group that took some third-party software and heavily customized it to create a much better overall system.

“It’s given us the ability not only to keep our finger on the pulse of what is happening in our market, but also to share information in near real time with other regulators, including the SEC, in a way they can’t get as rapidly from other sources,” BATS General Counsel Eric Swanson said. “It was a risky decision when we made it. We were a young exchange at that time. We probably had 50 employees, and we decided to build this internally.”

Biggest lesson learned: Schademann said one of the key lessons she learned early on was that she can’t accomplish anything without the help of smart people around her. Schademann developed a keen eye for talent.

“I try to find people that I respect not only professionally, but personally,” Schademann said. “I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by lots of smart individuals. We have a lot of trust and confidence in each other and share the same vision.”

Biggest motivator: Schademann said she loves a good challenge.

“I’m a very analytical thinker,” Schademann said. “Just knowing there is going to be something new every day that my team will have to work through and solve is one of the things I really enjoy about my job.”